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BEN Publisher Pat Byington has written an opinion piece on the Alabama Environmental Management Commission's new strategic plan. The op-ed has appeared in the Birmingham News and Mobile Register.  Check it out.

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1. A Birmingham News Report On Alabama's Mussels and Snails - This past Sunday, the Birmingham News published on its front page "Saving the Shell Game - Hope Lives For State's Delicate River Dwellers."  The two page story, written by News environment writer Katherine Bouma documents the struggle to restore Alabama's mussel and snail populations. 

Here are some of the story's findings.

61% of the nation's mussels live in Alabama
43% of the nation's snails live in Alabama
356 - Number of mussel and freshwater snail species historically found in Alabama
233 - Number of Alabama's mussel species that are imperiled
76 - Number of Alabama's freshwater snails and mussels that are extinct
79 - Number of mussel species historically found in the Tennessee River at Muscle Shoals
38 - Number of mussel species found at Muscle Shoals after dams were built
49 - Number of mussel and snail species extinguished when the Coosa River was dammed

To read the entire Birmingham News story, visit their website at http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/107925953527730.xml.

2. Nature Conservancy Protects 105 Acres Near the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge - An important 105 acre inholding connected to the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge has been purchased by the Nature Conservancy of Alabama.

The 105 acre stretch of coastal marshland and maritime forest includes frontage on the fast developing Oyster Bay.  The tract is part of the Fort Morgan peninsula, which is a critical habitat for the imperiled gopher tortoise and many birds, including more than 80 species of neotropical migratory birds.

For more information about this project, contact the Nature Conservancy at 205-251-1155.

3. Huntsville Adopts New Revised Tree Ordinance - Last month, the Huntsville City Council passed one of Alabama's most progressive tree ordinances. In cooperation with the Huntsville Tree Commission the ordinance addresses some of the following issues:

• Removal and replacement of trees on public land
• Adoption of standards for the establishment and care of public trees and trees affecting public easements.
• Inclusion of a Greenspace Planting Agreement
• A program for education of field tree service crews
• Procedures by which the city deals with tree problems on streets and easements

To learn more about this new ordinance, contact Chuck Weber at chuck.weber@hsvcity.com

4. Smart Growth Legislation Passes House - Two smart growth bills passed the Alabama House last week.

House Bill 309, sponsored by Rep. Bill Dukes, makes long overdue technical improvements to the state's municipal planning code.  House Bill 116, sponsored by Rep. Terry Spicer, supports the cleanup and development of old industrial sites.  "Both (bills) are considered smart growth initiatives as they encourage economic development while protecting the special places that Alabamians have come to love and appreciate, " said Pete Conroy, Chair of House Speaker Seth Hammett's Smart Growth Working Group.

"It's described differently as smart growth, sustainable development and long range planning, but most call this week's actions taken by the Alabama House of Representatives as nothing more than good old fashioned common sense, " stated Speaker Hammett.

To learn more about the Smart Growth Working Group, contact Pete Conroy at 256-782-5681.